What Is Polysorbate 60?
Polysorbate 60 is a synthetic ingredient that is used in cosmetics and skincare to improve the texture and sensory feel of formulations. It is used in products as a surfactant, emulsifier, and solubilizer.
If you’re researching polysorbate 60, you might be looking for clean yet effective skincare. One brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick. You can read more about this brand at the bottom of the article.
Polysorbate 60 is produced by the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Sorbitan is the dehydrated form of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that can naturally be found in some fruits. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction in which ethylene oxide is added to a substrate, in this case, sorbitan. Sorbitan is reacted with 60 units of ethylene oxide, hence the 60 in the ingredient name. The final step is the reaction with fatty acids obtained from vegetable fats and oils, such as lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, or oleic acid. In addition to its function in cosmetics, polysorbate 60 can be used to prepare a wide variety of products in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Polysorbate 60
the good: Polysorbate 60 is used to improve the texture and feel of products.
the not so good: There is some controversy over ingredients that are produced via ethoxylation as there is a risk of contamination. However, this process is highly regulated and the products are purified and tested for contaminants.
Who is it for? All skin types except those that have an identified allergy to it.
Synergetic ingredients: Works well with most ingredients.
Keep an eye on: Nothing to keep an eye on here.
Why Is Polysorbate Used In Skincare?
In cosmetics and skincare products, polysorbate 60 functions as a surfactant, emulsifier, and solubilizer.
Surfactant
As a surfactant, polysorbate 60 works by lowering the surface tension between two substances, such as two liquids or a liquid and a solid. A surfactant molecule contains one end that is hydrophilic or attracted to water and one end that is lipophilic or attracted to oil. This allows surfactants to attract and suspend oils, dirt, and other impurities that have accumulated on the skin and wash them away. Due to these properties, polysorbate 60 can be found in many different cleansers, shampoos, and body washes.
Emulsifier
As an emulsifier, polysorbate 60 is often used in formulations that contain both water and oil components. Mixing water and oil-based ingredients can be difficult as they will often separate and split. To address this problem, an emulsifier like polysorbate 60 can be added to improve the consistency of a product, which enables an even distribution of topical skincare benefits.
Solubilizer
A solubilizer helps other ingredients to dissolve in a solvent in which they would not normally dissolve. Specifically, polysorbate 60 helps to disperse oil in water as opposed to water in oil. Polysorbate 60 is an excellent solubilizer for essential oils.
Is Polysorbate 60 Safe?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows polysorbate 60 to be directly added to food as a flavoring agent or as a multipurpose additive. The safety of polysorbate 60 has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, a group responsible for evaluating the safety of skincare and cosmetic ingredients. The Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that polysorbate 60 was safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Despite the approval of polysorbate 60 by the CIR Expert Panel, there are concerns about the presence of ethylene oxide in this ingredient. This is because the process of ethoxylation may lead to contamination with 1,4-dioxane, a potentially dangerous by-product. 1,4-dioxane is a known animal carcinogen that penetrates readily into the skin. According to the National Toxicology Program, ‘1,4-dioxane is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.’ It has also been linked with skin allergies. However, the potential presence of 1,4-dioxane can be controlled through purification steps to remove it before blending polysorbate 60 into cosmetic formulations.
Our favorite clean skincare
There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that’s effective and safe. If you’re looking for effective skincare products that skip harmful toxins, one brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick.
Carrot & Stick is committed to creating plant-derived formulas that deliver extraordinary results without relying on toxic chemicals or standard preservatives. Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the gentle nurturing of plants with innovative science.
